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Be
they wish but will extend the same benefit to all those in
continuous employment who come within the scope of the
Employment Ordinance. The measure is expected to come
forward in the present session of Legislative Council and to
be enacted before the end of the year. In Saving Despatch
No. 1142 it is implied that the Minister's agreement was
dependent upon progress on three other aspects of labour
legislation. The record of his discussions does not, however,
bear this out. Nevertheless, it is reported that in the case
of one of these items legislation has been drafted which is to
come forward later in the present session of the Legislative
Council. Difficulties and doubts about the other two items
are set out at some length in the despatch; when the Overseas
Labour Adviser has considered these, our views on these items
will be conveyed to Hong Kong.
6. The Overseas Labour Adviser has given his view that
sufficient progress has been made in labour legislation to
warrant a measure of relaxation of the existing prohibition
of nightwork for women. He considers, however, that it will
be necessary to insist on the following safeguards:
(a)
The whole organisation of factory inspection
should be overhauled and improved (although
This
it would be sufficient if they were agreed
with the Hong Kong Government and arrangements
were put in train i.e. completion of the over-
haul need not be a precondition).
(b) No woman should be called upon to work wholly
on night shift, i.e., there should be rotation
of shifts.
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